Posts

Gopichandana is a yellow color mud that is worn as chandan
on the forehead by Hindu devotees. The mud is yellow in color and looks like
sandal paste. Gopichandana mud is found in many parts of India especially at Gopi near Dwaraka in Gujarat.
It is worn mainly by Shaivaite Brahmins and by the followers
of the Chaitanya School of Vaishnavism.
Importance of Gopichandana is mentioned in the ‘Gopichandana
Upanishad.’ The text narrates the importance of the mud. Some devotees wear it
on forehead and hands. Some devotees also smear it all over the body.
Please note that Gopichandana should not be mistaken with
turmeric powder which is widely used in KhandobaTemples in Maharashtra and NagaTemples
in South India. The yellow of color of
turmeric is different from the yellow color of Gopichandana mud.

The book titled “Bol Bam Approaches to Shiva” written by
Scharada Dubey is a book based on journey to temples and sacred places
associated with God Shiva. This is not the usual travel book. The book is an
amalgamation of author’s personal experience during the journey; her doubts,
disbeliefs, dislikes; conversations with devotees and locals.

The book is a good read if you are a true believer of
Sanatana Dharma – it gives opportunity to understand more about Shiva.
Understanding Shiva is understanding Truth. But if you are a believer of
Hinduism, which is being moulded in the present day like monolithic religions,
then some observations might be sacrilegious.

There are six chapters in book – journey to different abodes
of Shiva.

We do not need to agree to all her observations. But each
observation helps us in understanding
Shiva more. The book also helps us in remembering numerous stories of Shiva.
But author’s imagination (fantasy) as to what Goddess Parvati or Shiva might
have d…

Only when both hands meet sound is produced.
The danger that was aimed at the head luckily went off with
the turban.
Even the king of Delhi
is a child to his mother.
The dislike daughter-in-law can never please her in-laws.
Whatever she may do will be faulty.
The other bank of the river looks green from the opposite
bank.
One who sows millet will reap millet. One who sows evil will
reap evil.
The baby crow is of golden hue to its mother.